CHAPTER FOUR (Secrets, Lies and Video Tapes...)
Josef waited patiently. He stood, on a cliff over-looking the Valley. The lights stretched on for miles. He had vacated the premises, allowing the Cleaner to do her job without interference. It was a mild night, the wind from the ocean refreshing and brisk.
The darkness of the mountains allowed for the luminescence of the stars overhead. They appeared closer and decidedly brilliant. The Vampire pulled his attention from the quietness of the panoramic view.
"Where are you?" He spoke into the cell phone, his tone uncensored.
"I'm ok, Josef..." Came the hesitant reply, the soft voice caressed him like a soothing balm.
"It's my fault you are estranged from your Sire..I put you in the middle of this mess..let me at least feel a little guilt over the matter." He insisted. "Let me come to you. I'll make it all better and you know...I have such capabilities, don't you."
"I do." He could hear the smile in her reply. "But..it's best..at this time, that I go away. LaCroix will forget in time. All should be well soon."
"He didn't seem like the forgiving type." Josef told his point of view. "I can't believe he is that uptight about you choosing the wrong side in this issue..I'm sensing...something more is going on. Tell me what it is."
"..You are a good friend, Josef."
"You state facts of which I am already aware...tell me..what you did that pissed LaCroix off, Thea..other than just being your normal self, of course."
"It is a family problem. If I divulge it's intricacies..he will be even more upset with me."
Josef thought that one through. "What can I do to make it better?"
"I am not certain anyone can make it better." She sighed lightly. "If I need you...I will not hesitate to call..yes?"
"Promise..your most excellent promise."
She smiled. "Have it, then Noble Knight."
"I'm not noble..but I can play the part of a knight if you so desire...or a Celt..I like Celts."
She chuckled her amusement. "I rather enjoy them too."
"..I...remember." His tone dropped to a silky provocation, as he parodied her previous answer to the question he had posed concerning a similar encounter they once shared.
"I will contact you soon."
"You do that." He advised..strenuously
The line went dead.
Josef's brow furrowed deeply. He would have preferred to meet with her. He sighed heavily, returning to the view. His soul was restless this night. Something seemed..off-kilter. He had heard of LaCroix, of course. Who had not. It did not set well with him that Althea had incurred such a being's displeasure.
He couldn't alter the female's mind..but he could find out more about the situation.
He had sources, after all. It was the least he could do under the circumstances.
Mick St. John shifted into a more comfortable position. He would not disturb the woman in his arms for the world, but...his right arm was going to sleep. He eased it slightly, settling closer to Beth Turner's warmth.
She was exhausted. Both mentally and physically. It had been a draining night full of danger and suspense. Her nerves had finally caught up to her. They had been discussing the situation and suddenly, the woman had began to tremble uncontrollably.
She felt foolish, repeatedly telling him so, the pretty cheeks flushed with her embarrassment. He had sat on the couch beside her and pulled her to him. A few minutes of contact with another..human, so to speak, settled her mind. It had felt so good..having her close and safe..he found any excuse to prolong the moment.
She had fallen asleep, finally.
He had lain here for hours now..drinking in her beauty..the black lashes fanned her cheeks..the soft curls framed her amazing face. It didn't hurt either..that her blouse had fallen slightly open, revealing a tantalizing view of soft, creamy flesh..a titillating hint of white lace bra and healthy mounds crushed against his biceps.
His fingers itched to stroke the plumb fullness of her breasts. Her scent filtered upward into his nostrils. A light fragrance, most erotic to his senses.
He chastised such thoughts, steeling his mind to other things. She trusted him enough to allow such intimacy. He was not about to disappoint her. But still...his eyes flicked the opened area for the hundredth time. He closed his eyes to what he was thinking..exhaling slowly.
He could do this.. The young vampire set his mind, turning his thoughts to loftier things. Such as...wonder what type of panties she wore?
Mick groaned, grimacing accordingly.
Beth sighed happily, snuggling closer in her sleep.
If this was torture..he would bravely submit to his fate.
Althea walked the street, her stiletto heels clicking noisily on the old brick surface. Hours had passed and she had not yet rested. It was late and soon..she must find shelter from the coming rays of the sun. She must feed soon as well. Her strength was ebbing. But..she had wisely put as many miles between herself and her Sire as 'humanly' possible. Such a quaint phrase.
This was an older part of London...White Chapel..it held memories of olden times. Some not so pleasant, granted. LaCroix had many homes..in countless places. She had only the one..this one...the one she journeyed to now. She had told no one of it's existence. Not even her Sire.
He had never asked, of course. LaCroix allowed his children much freedom. He only summoned them when necessary. He seldom needed any one or any thing. He tired quickly of their presence. Althea was one of the fortunate few. She could remain by his side for months before he turned her away.
She loved such times. He was a unique being. She felt privileged to be under his tutelage.
Just as she felt now..bereft without him.
"You should not be alone."
Althea gasped her surprise, stunned by the fact..she had not heard or 'felt' an approach, her steps halted abruptly, as she had pulled up short.
"WILL...you STOP!" Her heart was pounding frantically, adrenalin pumping quickly through her veins. "DOING THAT!"
The being melded from the shadows of a nearby building. The stocky frame sauntered slowly forward, until a street light illuminated the startling features. "You should not...be alone."
Althea settled her nervous system. "Why..you don't like witnesses..right?" She glanced around the empty alleyway. "Dad send you?"
"No one has met my price..more's the pity."
"How...did you find me?" She didn't like the fact..it had been ridiculously easy for the being, obviously. And..she had been so careful too. So cautious..so wary.
"I can smell you."
"Excuse me?" She took offense.
"It is not..an unpleasant scent."
Althea remained quiet. Why was he here? It did not bode well for her. Not at all. LaCroix usually did his own dirty work. Perhaps she should be honored that..he cared enough to send the very best?
"Why are you here?" She asked a rhetorical question to her way of thinking. He was here..to finish her off.
"Why do you believe me to be here?"
"Look Beelzebub..I'm tired, I'm pissy..I'm depressed as hell and I'm in no mood." Althea told the absolute truth. "Don't shit with me tonight!"
"When have those adjectives ever NOT applied to you?"
"Get..." The grey eyes turned slate. "Out..of my way."
"Or...what?" The conversation seemed to be a source of amusement for the being.
Althea allowed the beast to emerge..it had taken all of two seconds, eyes misting over into the ice blue color of death, then melting to the emerald green of 'hunger', beautiful white fangs elongated in the sensual mouth, bared..a soft, menacing growl escaped her throat as she..prepared for battle.
"You amuse me." The stoic face had not altered, however. Indeed, the dark eyes observed the female rather analytically even now. "Pull in your fangs. Lolita...I come in peace." It was lazily drawled. "For the moment. The Council has not contacted me, ergo..even though your Sire assures us..all is well. The Enforcers showed this night. The word might not have reached them in time, true..but I do not think LaCroix would appreciate it if I allowed your demise over a simple..clerical error on someone's part."
"LaCroix would very likely applaud your noble goals.." The fact saddened the female greatly. She lifted her head, determined to 'sleep in the bed she had made for herself'..but, at what cost, she secretly wondered.
"Whatever it is that you have done.." Edwin mused. "Is not something he can forgive so easily then. He usually allows you..much. Why is this time so different, I wonder."
Althea waited..for what, she was not certain.
"The dawn approaches." Edwin had glanced to the horizon. "Cease being your usual odious self. Accompany me back to my home that, if..or when the need arises, I may at least defend you in familiar territory."
"Said the fucking spider to the fly?"
"You are paranoid..and decidedly insane." The Enforcer shook his head slightly. "If I wished you dead..you would then...be dead."
"I do not need your..protection!"
"I have witnessed your somewhat lackadaisical fighting skills..believe me," the being stated. "You do."
Althea was given pause for thought. Always before, she had LaCroix to fall back on..or the mere threat of the being. "Yeah well..get fucked." There was still a principle to uphold here..maybe. Maybe not.
Edwin tilted his head ever so slightly, "Is that what you want?"
"It would be nice, preferably by a large man called Bruno..from behind!"
He swept her frame with masculine appreciation for once. "I meant..did you wish to share my..cubicle."
Althea gasped her shock. "WHAT?"
"You did not like Anna Lisa's..attention to me tonight," he stated drily. "Did you."
"Hey..what is it to me who you..eh..do that stuff with." She denied vehemently any and all accusations thrown. "As if I would even care!"
"She holds no interest for me. I did not send for her."
"I don't care!" She made an endearing face. "Why would I even..like I said!"
"But..you did."
"Did NOT!"
"You have been throwing yourself at me for over a month now. Do you deny it?"
"Ok!" She held up both hands, glancing around frantically. Where was a good stake when you needed one? "That's it!" Everyone had a breaking point and this was her's. She threw her purse..the very large one she sported everywhere she went, off her shoulders, kneeling hastily, beginning a frantic rummaging through the enormous pouch. "I am going to rip your cold, unbeating, dead little heart out of your body!" It was summarily declared with all due pomp and circumstance.
The female hauled lipsticks and pens and notepads and stick-up notes and hair spray out of the confides she searched throwing them aside on the pavement beside her. "Then I'm going to cut it into nice, precise pieces, at which time I will proceed to.." She glared up at the being. "STICK IT UP YOUR ASS!"
She returned to her rummaging with renewed vigor. "You..myopic..egotistical.." Cell phone, charger..head phones..slinky. She hid that item hastily under her scarf. "Repulsive..unconscionable..poor excuse for a.." she waved his very existence aside hap-hazardly. "Whatever the hell you ARE!"
"What is that..pink fuzzy.."
"NOTHING!" She pushed the cuffs farther into her purse. "It's a ...handband, if you must know! Stop snooping in my personal belongings!"
"You do not find me attractive then?"
"Does a witch fly on a broom?" She gloated. "You..would know all about witches, wouldn't you..you're dating one!"
"I only know about..bitches." The being folded his arms, patiently waiting for her tirade to end. "'dating..how...quaint. For your information, I do not..'date' a female. I..fuck them and send them on their way."
Althea stopped 'rummaging'. "..You mean you.." She scowled slightly, more than confused. "..well, of course you do..more than that..surely!"
"Do I?"
"You were speaking..metaphorically, of course."
"Not hardly. Are you asking for a demonstration?"
Althea returned to her pastime. "You are soooo full of yourself! Why can't you be like that Mick St. John fellow.." It was demanded. "He is so..sweet and caring and...and HOT!" She waved her check book about curtly.
"He allows his emotions to dictate his intellect..never a good thing."
"Oh, what do you know about it!" She lay her credit card holder aside along with her past due electric bill. She squinted, checking the due date in the non-existent light. Wow..that WAS past due! "You think you are so superior!" She grabbed her check book scribbling hastily. "How do you spell seventy?" She craned her neck up to the towering figure.
"Are you coming...or not?" He was fast losing patience.
"NOT!" Her fingers curled around the one thing she had been searching for, grasping it firmly. She changed instantly into the 'creature of the night', stabbing the wooden stake into the upper part of his thigh with all the power behind the act her heightened strength allowed.
Edwin staggered back slightly, growling his fury and surprise.
The female 'changed' casually back to..her human self, smiling sweetly up at the furious being, watching contentedly as he struggled with removing the offensive staff. "I only wish it could have been your balls."
Edwin grasped her hair, forcing her head back with a harsh tug, bringing the bloodied instrument down, embedding it into her heart with one, sure..confident stab.
He watched her face ease into placidity, her eyes glaze over as the stake did it's job.
"...I only wish..it could have been my dick!" He growled viciously. "And the mark had been...inside your cunt!"
He released her entirely, watching with satisfaction as she fell back heavily with a dull thud unto the pavement.
It was sometime later the Vampire entered his domain, unceremoniously tossing his 'burden' unto a convenient sofa. He went in search of nourishment to replenish his energy source.
Only then did he return to gaze down upon a very silent..Althea Adams.
"Ahhh..." He closed his eyes to the serenity of the moment. "Peace...and quiet!" He sighed mentally, seeking out the female. "...How I hate to spoil it."